Family Portrait
Today’s Verse:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ~Philippians 2:15
Many families take time annually to do a family portrait. By doing so, they are preserving rich memories of their family. People who look at family portraits look carefully for resemblances or non-resemblances between the children and the parents. Where there is a resemblance, the comment will be made, “You look just like your mother or father.” This morning, we want to consider the importance of resembling our Father in Heaven in our attitude and testimony.
There is the beginning of a son of God.
One can only become a son of God through faith in Jesus’ name. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). Believing on Jesus’ name is the only means by which one can enter into God’s family. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
There is the behavior of a son of God.
We are called to be blameless and harmless in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. This means we are to live above the reproach of men. It means we are to live in truth and honesty. It means we are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Being blameless does not mean we won’t be accused. It means when our life is put to the test, none of those things said about us can be proven true. It means to be respectable in our dealings with all men. Behavior depicts our belonging.
There are the boundaries for a son of God.
Living in a perverse and crooked nation exposes us to many temptations and traps. We must establish boundaries for our eyes, ears, associations, thinking, and decisions. This means we need to draw a line on the sand and decide not to cross that line. Unsaved people are drawn into many temptations because they allow themselves to. We must stay within our boundaries and realize that we are safe as long as we do.
There is the brightness of a son of God.
We are to shine as lights in this world. Our light is not to be hidden under a bushel. It is to shine brightly. “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” The brighter the light, the darker the night. Our light must illuminate the hearts and souls of people towards Jesus. Our light will expose sin and make Jesus magnified. How well is your light shining for Jesus?
Is your life a resemblance to the Son of God? Do the people who know you say, “I can tell something is different because he belongs to God,” or is there nothing of significance about your life?
Let’s bear His name and testimony so that others might see and accept Him!
Have a shining God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Matthew 18-19